Transmission Planning Specialist Job

The Transmission Planning Specialist will receive assignment from the Sr. Transmission Planning Engineer, Sr. Transmission Planning Specialist, Engineering Manager, and/or Manager in general terms on specific problems related to assigned areas of work.  Obtain necessary data for problem solution.  Develop solutions to problems and produce the necessary justification (documentation, study results, etc.) to substantiate recommendations.

What you'll do 

1. Develop and/or contribute to the development of plans and planning products related to the electricity transmission system. These plans and planning products include: bulk transmission plans, regional plans (e.g., IRRPs), and/or special purpose plans related to ensuring reliable performance of the electricity transmission system.
2. Project manage the development of plans and planning products, including: documenting plan objectives, outcomes, deliverables, milestones, and setting the schedule/time lines.
3. Build and maintain a familiarity with the tools and models commonly used to conduct transmission system assessments and analysis, including load flow simulation tools, economic evaluation tools, risk evaluation tools, electricity resource modeling tools, etc., including an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of these tools.
4. Participate in economic evaluation of different options for meeting reliability needs as a transmission planning subject matter expert.
5. Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of planning processes, procedures, tools and assumptions, including process documentation, quality assurance and quality control.
6. Participate in stakeholder engagements, community engagements and/or consultations on planning matters, including occasionally acting as a subject matter expert on transmission planning matters and on specific plans and planning products.
7. Act as the subject matter expert for transmission planning matters in support of IESO activities, including energy efficiency, electricity markets, resource development, and sector innovation.
8. Liaise with government staff, Ontario Energy Board staff, and other sector agencies on planning matters, policy development and analysis, and joint initiatives, as required.
9. Research and monitor development of municipal, regional, provincial, and/or federal laws and policies, including land use plans, growth plans, energy plans or targets, or other related policies or plans that have potential to influence electricity transmission needs, solutions, or opportunities within the scope of transmission plans.
10. Prepare, and/or contribute to the preparation of, reports, briefs, written submissions, and/or information related to transmission plans and planning matters for IESO management and leadership, regulatory processes, stakeholder engagement and inquiries, and other proceedings.
11. Maintain up to date knowledge of the state-of-the-art on transmission technologies, best-practices related to transmission planning and integrated resource planning, and assist in bringing relevant external trends and practices to IESO’s planning.  
12. Participate in, or occasionally lead, the IESO’s participation in external industry forums, (e.g. joint studies, planning, and regulatory proceedings).
13. Perform NERC/NPCC/Market Rules compliance activities, specifically:
    • Prepare and deliver evidence demonstrating compliance with NERC and NPCC requirements, including internal control documentation, work procedures, reliability standard audit worksheets, market manuals and training material.
    • Participate in reliability audits and presenting the evidence, as required.
    • Act as a subject matter expert for the IESO to support Market Participant compliance, such as: reviewing Market Rule exemption applications, reviewing NERC/NPCC Compliance Plans and Mitigation Plans, as necessary.
14. Act as a subject matter expert to other departments and/or business units on matters related to transmission planning.
15. Mentor and assist training of new and/or junior staff.
16. Exercise limited/periodic supervision over assigned staff on special projects.
17. Perform other duties as required. In addition, the Transmission Planning Specialist may only perform the following duties (i.e. duties 18 to 28) if direct professional responsibility (evidenced through engineering sign and seal practices) is taken by a PEO license holder:
18. Complete the engineering studies required for bulk transmission plans, regional plans, NERC planning assessments, NPCC Area Transmission Reviews, planning and reliability outlooks, and for Ad hoc requests.  This includes steady-state and transient assessments of the power system.
19. Assess the load meeting capability of existing local networks in order to establish regional needs for Integrated Regional Resource Plans.
20. Assess the load meeting capability of system reinforcement options in order to establish their technical performance for Integrated Regional Resource Plans.
21. Assess transfer capability of the Ontario and Interconnected bulk system in the near-term and long-term planning horizons to ensure system adequacy and security, and in support of resource acquisitions.
22. Assess the transfer capability of bulk system reinforcement options in order to establish their technical performance for bulk system plans.
23. Perform technical feasibility studies for proponents to assess the reliability impact of proposed power system facilities and connections to the IESO-controlled grid.
24. Perform assessments to determine the reliability of planned protection systems and programs, including: Remedial Action Schemes, the Under-Frequency Load Shedding Program, and protective relaying during overload conditions or power swings.
25. Perform other specialized studies in the planning time horizon.
26. Participate in joint planning studies with our neighbors and in other inter-Area activities, specifically:
    • Participate in appropriate NERC/NPCC committees, task forces and working groups.
    • Conduct joint studies of the interconnected system to ensure adequacy and security of the ICG due to planned modifications to neighboring systems.
    • On occasion, represent the IESO on interconnection committees and sub-committees as a technical subject matter expert.
27. Participate in the standards development process as a subject matter expert from the IESO, specifically for the following activities:
    • Standard drafting activities pertaining to Planning Coordinator and Transmission Planner obligations.
    • Implementation of new standards pertaining to Planning Coordinator and Transmission Planner obligations, by providing input to standard voting activities and developing an IESO position for standards.
    • Implementation of new standards by recommending new or modified business processes.
28. Prepare documentation and deliver presentations pertaining to engineering analysis.

What you need to succeed 

• Completion of an Engineering/Applied Sciences Degree from an accredited University.
• 6-8 years experience
• Requires experience in the power system planning or operation.  More specifically, the experience is related to the:
  • functions and characteristics of power system components
  • analytical studies and the application of computer techniques to solve power system problems
  • power system planning, operation, practices, and policies
  • electric energy, capacity, ancillary service and transmission rights market operations, practices, policies
  • Market Rules 

What’s in it for you
•    A comprehensive total rewards program, including best-in-class benefits and a flexible workplace 
•    A challenging, fast-paced and collaborative team environment, where your perspectives and experiences matter 
•    Leaders who support your growth and success through regular feedback and coaching
•    The opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry
Deadline: August 16, 2022